Mouth adjuster



Gm. 23,1923. mmaw G. T. EPLING MOUTH ADJUSTER I Filed March 20. 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 awe/who:

@c&. 23, T1923. 3,47%839 G. T. EPLJNG MOUTH ADJUSTER Filed Mqrch 20. 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet '2 Patented et. 23, 1923.

Ldflhddd "cairn stares rear cares.

GILES 'I'. EPLING, OF WELGH, WEST VIRGINIA.

MOUTH ADJUSTER.

Application filed March 20, 1922. Serial No. 5%,229.

This invention relates to certain improve- I ments in mouth adjusters and has relation more particularly to a device of this general character especially designed and adapted for use in connection with young children, and it is an object of the invention to provide a device of this general character constructed in a novel and improved manner whereby the same will not cause any injury or deformity of the head of a child and particularly when the head is in the formative period as the device does not impose pressure on any part of the head or face to do any damage during suchperiod.

Another object of the invention is to pro-- vide a novel and improved device of this general character wherein the bands which are associated with the chin as a mandible retainer or mouth adjuster do not cross over laterally and impose pressure on the anterior fontanelles.

' An additional object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved device of this general character which embodies but a single elastic strap or band and which operates to draw the mouth shut when the muscles are relaxed but does not hold the mouth sufficiently shut to strangle a child with regurgitating food as said band. or strap will yield or give sufiiciently to permit elimination of any fluids or solids from the stomach through the mouth.

The invention consists in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts of my improved mouth adjuster whereby certain important advantages are attained and .the device rendered simpler, less. expensive and otherwise more convenient and advanta geous for use, will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

The novel features of my invention will hereinafter be definitely claimed.

In order that my invention may be the better understood, I'will now proceed to de- '6 to jace11t' the'temples of the head upon which the device is arranged. This band or strap scribe the same with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a view in elevation illustrat ing a mouth adjuster constructed in accordance with an embodiment of my invention and in applied position,

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view illustrating in detail the elastic strap and the chin strap associated therewith;

Figure 3 is a view in perspective of my improved adjuster unapplied; and

Figure 4 is a fragmentary view in side elevation illustrating in detail the mounting or application of a V-shaped strap as here in disclosed. 7

As disclosed in the accompanying drawings, 1 denotes a bandeau or strap adapted to be disposed around or encircle the upper portion of the head and extending over the forehead. The extremities of said hair deau or strap 1 are adjustably connected one with the other in order that said bandeau or strap may be properly fitted. This adjustment is effected bythe separable members 2, herein disclosed as of a snap type, as is also true of the adjustable connections of the other parts to be hereinafter referred to. I wish it to be understood. however that I am not limiting myself to this particular type of fastening means, as any medium may be employed which can be used to advantage in efiecting such connections.

Detachably and adjustably connected with the central portion of the bandeau or strap 1, as indicated at 3, and at substantially the center of the forehead when the device is in applied position is an end portion of a strap 4 which isadapted to be disposed. rearwardly and over the head and over the anterior fontanelles which are present in the head of an infant up to the age of three to four years and in rachitis often exists until the seventh or eight year.

5 denotes an elastic strap preferably woven and which has its opposite end portions detachably and adjustably connected, as at the bandeau or strap 1 at points ad- 5 underlies the chin and operates to maintain the lower jaw or mandible normally closed and which is of especial advantage during the formative period. The pressure of this band or strap 5, however, is insufficient to prevent the opening of the mouth to permit the desired discharge of regurgitating food or fluid which might otherwise result in strangulation.

7 denotes a chin strap which is be disposed around the front portion of the chin and over the point ofsynthesis with" the extremities of said strap 7 detachably' and adjustably connected, as at 8, to the strap 5. This strap 7 is covered with rub ber dam 9 to protect the strap 7 from the end portion of this strap 4 is the central or' intermediate portion of a strap 10 which extends forwardly and across the opposite sides of the head with itsextremities detachably and adjustably connected, as at 11, with the strap 5 above the strap 7. The rear or free end portion of the strap l is adjustably and detachably connected, as at 12, with the rear central portion of the bandeau or strap 1 to further facilitate the requisite maintenance of the assembled device in applied position.

To further maintain the device applied, I provide a band 1 1, the central portion of which is detachably and adjustably connected, as at 15, to the strap 4 at a point in relatively close proximity to and above the strap 10. This band 14 extends upwardlyand forwardly and is deta'chably and adjustably connected, as at 16, with the bandeau or strap 1 at a point substantially above the ears when the device is applied.

Anadditional strapor band 17 has each of its end portions detachably and adjustably connected with the bandeau or strap 1 at a point between the strap 5 and the band 14 and with its central portion detachably and adjustably connected, as at ,18, with the strap 4 at a point rearwardly of but in relatively close proximity to the anterior fontanelles when the device is applied.

An additional strap19 has its extremities adjustably anddetachably secured,- as at-20, to the bandeau or strap l forwardly of but immediately adjacent the strap 5 with the central portion of said strap 19 detachably and adjustably connected, as at 21,*with the strap 4.: at a point forwardly of but relatively close to the anterior fontanelles.

To further assure the desired assembly adapted to i straps.

of the device, I detachably and adjustably connect, as at 22, with each end portion of the strap 5the apex portion of a substantially V-shaped strap 23, the extremities of said strap being detachably and adjustably connected, as at 24:, to the straps 17 and 19 between the strap or bandeau 1 and the strap 4c.

With my improved retainer applied upon the head with the requisite adjustments, the mouth will be held in the proper position during the formative period without such pressure being. imposed upon the anterior fontanelles which would be. injurious. or cause any deformity in the head.

It is also to be understood that allof the tion is susceptible of some change and modification' without departing from the principles and spirit thereof and for this reason I do'not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the precise arrangement and formation of the several parts herein shown in carrying out my invention in practice except as hereinafter claimed.

I claim:

A mouth adjuster comprising .a strap adapted to encircle the upper portion of the head, a second strap having one'end portion engaged with the first named strap and adapted to extend rearwardly over the top of the head and of a length to terminate, when applied, below the occipital boneof the head, means for connecting both of said straps at the backportion' of the head, an elastic strap adapted -to underlie'the chin and having its extremitiesengaged'with the first named strap at opposite sides of the 3' head, additional straps having their ex tremities secured to opposite sides ofthe first named strap forwardly and rearwardly of the elastic strap, said lastnamed straps extending over the second named strap,

means for securing said last named straps and the second named strap, and asubstantially;V-shaped.strap associated with each side portion of the'device, the apex. portion of said strap being secured to the elastic strap, the extremities of; said ll-shaped strap being secured to the last named In testimony whereof I hereunto afiix signature.

r GI LES T. EPLING. 

